God – Page 35 – Word for the Soul

“It’s Not Your Battle” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

November 5, 2023November 4, 2023 Loring Schultz

“But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.’” Joshua 6:2 NLT

Chapter 6 of the book of Joshua in the Old Testament contains a familiar story many adults remember from their Sunday school days as a child. Children being taught the story of the battle of Jericho today will have the same memories along with memories from many other children stories through the many children books available to them. The major difference with the story of the battle of Jericho is that it is a true, real life story from the pages of the Bible. Most children books present many life lessons through reaching youngsters at their age level, stories in Scripture do much the same thing with stories such as of the battle of Jericho.

Children’s Bible stories often have a way of helping us later in our adult life in situations we find difficult to handle. Navigating through our series of conquering new territory we now find ourselves at the cusp of going into battle removing the obstacles and distractions in entering the territory God has for us. The Promised Land of Canaan is where the Lord wanted His people to be and they are about to enter and settle in it. This will now be their toughest part of the journey. It will involve many major physical battles to take over the land. The first battle will be in conquering the city of Jericho, but take note what the Lord had said, “But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.’” (Jos. 6:2 NLT) Joshua did not need to draw up a battle plan in taking Jericho. The Lord’s plan would suffice, He has already given them Jericho. They only needed to follow the Lord’s command. It was God’s battle and not theirs.

We have noted to successfully conquer new territory we need to have faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to Word of God. The nation of Israel needed to apply all of the above, but needed particularly to have strong faith for they were about to witness some unconventional battle plans-the Lord God’s battle plans. Joshua was instructed to march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days with his army, the priests, and the Ark of the Lord. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times with the priests blowing their horns. Joshua then gave the command for all the people to shout and the walls of the city of Jericho fell down flat. Having the city completely surrounded before the walls fell, they were now in positions to overrun the city from every direction.

If the Lord has unconventional plans as part of your transition, accept them and have the faith that God knows what He is doing. Israel was obedient to God having faith in Him from the experience of crossing the Jordan River. Rely on previous blessings and the things the Lord has done for you so far in your journey into your new territory. He has brought you this far and he is not going to abandon you or allow to fend for yourself. The Ark of the Lord symbolized to Israel that the Lord God was with them, leading them, and He was the one who would conquer the city. They only needed to have faith, courage, and obey. The Lord God is also with you and is still leading you, so trust Him in His unconventional plans.

The Lord will reward your faithfulness as He did for Rahab when she hid and protected the men who came to spy out the city. We read in Joshua 6:22, “Joshua said to the two spies, ‘Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute’s house and bring her out, along with all her family.’” (NLT) Take notice of the miracle within the miracle. When the walls around Jericho collapsed, the portion of the wall which housed Rahab did not fall, it was still standing. Walls around you may be collapsing, but it could very well be the Lord rewarding your faith in trusting Him. The dust will settle. You’ll soon be in your Promised Land. Remember the battle is not yours, the battle belongs to the Lord.

Read Joshua 6, The Fall of Jericho: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%206&version=NLT

Devotionals

Jesus; The Lord of the Temple

November 3, 2023November 2, 2023 Loring Schultz

“He said to them, The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13 NLT

For centuries theologians have debated the authenticity of Jesus Christ. Is he truly God in the flesh, the God-man, or is he just a good-man? Whichever side one is on all would agree that he was a good man. More would go on to say he was a mighty prophet, a great teacher, and one who could do great things. We still have the debate going on today in the 21^st century. I find it amazing for those who say they believe the Bible is the word of God, yet doubt many portions of it such as Jesus’s own words in John 8:58, “…….I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” (NLT) Jesus declared Himself to those who doubted to be Yahweh, the Lord of the Old Testament who eternally self-existed.

During Jesus’s three years of ministry before He went to the cross He made several references to God being His Father and being equal to Him. When questioned by the rulers of the Jews in order to accuse and attack Him, Jesus told them, “The Father and I are one” (Jn. 10:30) They knew what He meant proclaiming to be equal with God picking up stones in order to stone Him for blasphemy. Another occasion occurred the day after Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem when He went into the temple. Jesus had witnessed the buying, selling and exchanging of money permitted outside the temple area for travelers coming a great distance for the Passover had made its way inside the temple sacred courts. Not only was business being conducted, but deceptive means were being used to cheat the pilgrim travelers.

Scripture tells us Jesus drove out those desecrating the temple with authority. “He said to them, The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Mt. 21:13 NLT) Jesus had the authority to do so because He is the Lord of the temple. In the same respect scripture also tells us, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NLT) May we be careful not to desecrate our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and remember who is the Lord of the temple.

Read Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus clears the temple: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+21%3A12-17&version=NLT

Devotionals

God’s never-ending forgiveness

November 2, 2023November 1, 2023 Loring Schultz

“LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.” Psalm 130:3-4 NLT

Have you ever kept track of your sins? Do you have an on-going count for the week, month, or year? If you’re like me, the obvious answer is no. But there are some that you just can’t shake loose even after confessing them to God. They resurface in your mind from time to time causing guilt feelings and uncertainty of God’s forgiveness. Rest assured your sins are forgiven if confession to the Lord God was made. Psalm 103:2 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (NLT) Your sins are gone. The east from the west cannot be measured without any substance as starting points. Your sin, the substance, does not exist, it’s gone. Not only do they not exist, but the Lord does not remember them, “I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Is. 43:25 ESV)

There may be some who think my sins would be easy to count as they are not many, or I have not sinned at all. But think again. Every selfish thought or mean spirited action against your neighbor, being prideful, a slip of the tongue using God’s name in vain, lying to prevent getting into trouble, going 80 mph in a 55mph zone, and being short of patience with your spouse are all examples of what the Lord considers sin, even though we made not see it that way. None of us are perfect, we were all born with a sin nature so it’s natural that we sin, but that is no excuse to sin or deny that we do.

Think of all the little incidental sins mentioned above along with others you can think of. Add those we would consider bigger sins and try imagine how many there have been in your lifetime. Now compare that with today’s scripture verse, “LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?” I’m sure the list we compile for ourselves would not be as extensive as God’s would be, after all He doesn’t miss anything. But the good news is the Lord forgives as the rest of the verse indicates, “But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.” God’s forgiveness is never-ending and He remembers them no more as long as we confess and ask for forgiveness. This should be of great comfort to us for our sin is also never-ending as long as we are on this side of heaven.

Read Psalm 130: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130&version=NLT

Devotionals

Walking in Freedom

November 1, 2023October 31, 2023 Loring Schultz

“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” Psalm 119:45 NLT

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 NLT

It is hard to imagine today in the 21^st century there is still slavery going on across the world. It is known today as ‘Modern Day Slavery’ or ‘Contemporary Slavery.’ According to ‘The Guardian’ from July 2018 it is estimated that close to 50 million people are enslaved in some form of servitude. The U.S. State Department website has the following: “Human trafficking can include, but does not require, movement. People may be considered trafficking victims regardless of whether they were born into a state of servitude, were exploited in their home town, were transported to the exploitative situation, previously consented to work for a trafficker, or participated in a crime as a direct result of being trafficked. At the heart of this phenomenon is the traffickers’ aim to exploit and enslave their victims and the myriad coercive and deceptive practices they use to do so.” (1)

We are living in a fallen and broken world with sin running rapid in every corner. Perhaps it shouldn’t surprise or shock us, but it does right down to our core. As Christians we need to be aware of the plight of these individuals supporting efforts to stop the spread of trafficking and to pray for those affected. In addition to ‘Modern Day Slavery’ there are many people in our society who feel trapped by addictions, abusive situations, emotional stress, and anxiety. Although not intentionally held against their will, they are being held against their will. Again, as Christians we need to pray and support those in need.

Perhaps you may be one of the above feeling trapped or in a situation held against your will. Even in your confinement you can find and have freedom in Jesus Christ. The Psalmist writes when devoted to God’s commandments, His Word, he would walk in freedom or liberty. The Lord can lift the heaviest burden you are facing making it durable for you and give you joy and peace you thought not possible. And Jesus says to us who are trapped and overcome by sin, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free……I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (Jn. 8:31-32, 34-36 NLT) The Lord Jesus can set you free from your sin establishing a permanent relationship with Him now and in eternity walking in freedom.

Read Psalm 119:41-48: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A41-48&version=NLT https://www.state.gov/what-is-modern-slavery/

Bible Studies

“Worship” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

October 29, 2023October 28, 2023 Loring Schultz

“While the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month.” Joshua 5:10 NLT

The Israelites are on the verge of implementing their campaign in conquering their new territory, the land God had promised them. The Lord had brought them to the banks of the Jordan River after forty years in the wilderness. He miraculously led them across the swollen river by causing the flowing waters to back up clearing the way for them to proceed on dry ground. The people erected a memorial of stones taken from the middle of the dry river bed as instructed by the Lord to remind them and future generations of God’s presence among them in their journey. There was yet one requirement needed to be fulfilled before entering the land, and that was the returning to the Abrahamic Covenant of commitment to the Lord.

During the forty years of wilderness wandering Israel was under judgment for disobeying God and not following through to enter the land due to their lack of faith in Him. Circumcision, the surgical sign of commitment to the Abrahamic Covenant, was not carried out, nor was the Passover celebrated since the first anniversary of being led out of Egypt. All of that generation, except for a very few, died in the wilderness due to their unbelief. It was now the next generation that would be the recipients of God’s promise to bring His chosen people into the Promised Land. They had shown their belief and trust in God by obeying His commands and knowing that He would be with them.

This new generation only knew life in the wilderness. They were guided by a cloud during the day and by fire at night and had fresh manna delivered every morning for food. Life was about to change radically for them, but all by God’s design. We need to have the same understanding as well for the changes we go through as God’s designs for us. Old familiar ways will be replaced by new never imagined experiences all for our good by the Lord Himself.

The first thing Joshua did after setting in place the memorial stones was to follow God’s command to circumcise all the males below forty years old. The Abrahamic Covenant was about to be reinstated. The covenant relationship which was broken by their fathers was about to be restored to the new generation setting them off on the right foot as enter the Promised Land. The Passover would also be reinstated and celebrated each year on the fourteenth day of the first month. Worship was reestablished with the Lord God as they went forward.

In it just as important in our day when we are going through changes in our lives to continue our walk with God and continue to worship Him. He is the one who will see us through the difficulties in our new territory, after all He is the one who has placed us there and has a plan for us. It is even more important if we have not been in a right relationship with God, as with Israel, to ask the Lord to restore us. Then we are able to worship to Him wholly.

After Israel celebrated the Passover the Bible tells us they started to eat the fruit of the land and the mana ceased. The old provisions from God were over and God’s promised new provisions were on display and abundant for their needs. Our needs will also be met during our transition period, perhaps in different ways than before for we are in new territory just as God planned it.

Wherever you are in adjusting to your new circumstances be careful to not neglect your worship to God. The Lord God, creator of the heavens and earth, and everything in between, including you, is worthy of worship. Do not get caught up in the changes you may be going through, but take advantage of this time to draw closer to God through worshiping the one who is directing you into your new territory.

Read Joshua 5:1-12 Israel Reestablishes Covenant Ceremonies: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+5%3A1-12&version=NLT

Devotionals

Matthew’s Gospel; Prophecy Fulfilled

October 27, 2023October 26, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.” Zechariah 9:9 NLT

The result of the 2020 Untied States Presidential election is still being disputed some three years later. The media and politicians are labeling those who disagree with the outcome as ‘election deniers.’ The deniers’ rejections are founded on witness statements, number of ballets casts in conjunction with voter rolls, missing ballets, voter machine irregularities, mail-in ballots, and other missteps by election officials. Those who accept the results claim the lack of evidence to irregularities or misconduct proves the election is valid. I suppose it will continue to be disputed for years to come for we live in an imperfect and fallen world, and as much as we try to get things right our fallen nature always gets in the way.

The gospel of Matthew was written by one of Jesus’s followers, and it bears his name the disciple Matthew. The book’s main purpose is to prove Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the King of the Jews to a Jewish audience. Just as in our day there were those who rejected Jesus as King, the Jewish Messiah who was to come. We could call them ‘prophecy deniers.’ They rejected Jesus who had been prophesized to come all throughout the Old Testament. The disciple John wrote, “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.” (Jn. 1:11 NLT)

Matthew presented plenty of evidence from the Old Testament in his writing starting with Jesus’s genealogy proving His royal lineage. In Matthew 21 we have an undeniable prophecy seen and fulfilled as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what is known as Holy Week. From the Old Testament book of Zechariah, Matthew records the events from that day which was prophesized years before. “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’” (Mt. 21:5 NLT)

Though we may have difficulties in our fallen world to find and prove evidence which cannot be disputed, there is plenty of evidence in the pages of the Old Testament proving that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, the King of the Jews and the Savior of the world. Will you continue to be a ‘prophecy denier’ if you tend to be one, or will you trust the findings in Scripture which are true and infallible and accept Him as your Savior, Lord, and King.

Read Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus’ Triumphant Entry, Prophecy Fulfilled: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+21%3A1-11&version=NLT

Devotionals

Who Do You Go To When You Are Distressed?

October 26, 2023October 25, 2023 Loring Schultz

“In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:5 NLT

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

There are not two people living on this earth who are exactly alike. Even identical twins with many similarities have differences between them. There is no one who has your fingerprints, they are yours and yours alone. Your emotions, characteristics, and your stress level are also yours and yours alone. Certain social and economic structures, worldwide events, natural disasters, and environmental issues may cause like symptoms of stress between individuals, but each reacts according to their own specific blueprint. Each one, if need be, seeks out professional help in dealing with the stress in their life as it effects them directly. But there is one professional who is able to meet everyone’s stress level as only He can, the Lord God.

Please note I am not suggesting professional help is not necessary, I thank the Lord for the professional and medical experts He has blessed us with and they are to be of service to us using the talents and wisdom God has given them. Having said that, just as you would visit a doctor who specializes in treating your specific need, the Lord God knows you intimately and is able to comfort you when feeling distressed. The pressures of the world that come upon us can make us feel like everything is against us. But Psalm 118:6-7 says, “The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.” (NLT)

The Lord wants us to look to Him in our times of distress in this world. He wants us to trust Him over people giving us advice or governing authorities who do have our best interests at heart. So who do you go to when you are distressed? By all means get the professional help you need, and more importantly go to the Lord in prayer trusting Him to help and guide you in your distress.

Read the text Psalm 118:5-9: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A5-9&version=NLT

Devotionals

Surely a ‘dumb move’

October 25, 2023October 24, 2023 Loring Schultz

“I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly.” Psalm 85:8 NASB

We have all done foolish things. I hate to think back of all the foolish things I’ve done, and pray they are not brought back to memory by anyone I know. But there are some things you just cannot forget. The foolish things we’ve done without any evil intent but out of what we would say was a ‘dumb move’ may be looked at, even by God, as just an embarrassment. And yes that seems bad enough, but not as bad as sinning against God which is evil and foolish, and definitely a dumb move.

Psalm 85, A Psalm of the sons of Korah, is a prayer and a plea for pardon from the Lord. The Jews had returned from their exile in Babylon due to their many sins and turning away from God. The Lord graciously had mercy on Israel allowing them to return to the land after seventy years. The psalmist prayed that God had forgiven their sins in the past and withdrew His anger from them. Now that they are back in the land, they pray once again for forgiveness, restoration, and for God to remove His anger. There is a pause in the prayer to hear from the Lord with confidence that it will be a message of peace. Verse 8 of Psalm 85 says, “I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly.” The Psalmist is certain God will be faithful to His people in His forgiveness, but is careful to add they remain faithful to God and not turn again to their folly (sin).

Our God is a God of grace and mercy and is able and willing to forgive our foolish sins against Him. But let us be careful as we confess our sins that we do not go back to repeat them again and again, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Pr. 26:11) Surely a ‘dumb move.’

Read Psalm 85, Prayer for God’s Mercy upon the Nation: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+85&version=NASB1995

Devotionals

For the Sake of the Call

October 24, 2023October 23, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:21-22 NIV

In the year 1990, Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman illustrated what it cost to be a follower of Jesus through the lyrics he wrote and setting it to music in “For the Sake of the Call.” The story of four fishermen giving up their only means of support to follow Jesus is found in the book Matthew chapter 4 in the New Testament. Jesus was in the beginning of His public ministry and had now moved on to Capernaum. Seeing Simon Peter, his brother Andrew along with James and John at work in their trade, Jesus called them to leave it all behind and follow Him. He would make them fishers of men. We read their response was immediate. They left it all. James and John even left their father in the boat. A radical move to say the least.

Steven Curtis Chapman put it this way;

“Empty nets lying there at the water’s edge
Told a story that few could believe
And none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead
With no thought to what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name
And they answered…

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die for the sake of the call
The sake of the call” (1)

When the Lord calls us today, how do we respond? Are we willing to leave it all behind and serve the Lord where He calls us? He may not be calling you into full time service, but make no mistake, the Lord has a special calling for each one of us to serve Him where he has placed us. We are to answer the call and abandon all this world has to offer FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL.

(1) Steven Curtis Chapman, “For the Sake of the Call” Sparrow Records, 1990.

Read the story: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204%3A12-22&version=NIV

Devotionals

Have your considered my servant?

October 23, 2023October 22, 2023 Loring Schultz

“Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8 NIV

How well do you handle adversity? The troubles that come into your life will determine your relationship with God by how you will react. Do you seek after God during a personal crisis for comfort and guidance, or do you blame God and demand an answer, even cursing God for the tragedies that are occurring? Those of us who are Christians are reminded, that no matter how hard it can be to accept, God is in control. He allows the events in our lives to happen to draw us closer to Him and for His Glory.

We are given a glimpse of this reality in the book of Job. A conversation between God and Satan is unveiled in the first chapter of Job, verses 6-12. “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’” Satan, the adversary, accuses Job of being upright only due to the fact that God has bless him tremendously. He goes on to say if the Lord would stretch out his hand against him, then Job would curse God to His face. Satan is given the go ahead.

Unimaginable physical pain and suffering, along with the loss of his family and all his possessions is most likely the worst experience anyone ever encountered. As you read through the book of Job, you will find that Job, although very distraught at his suffering, never curses God, never loses his faith in God, and remains blameless and upright.

The Lord could say to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job,” because He knew Job could be trusted in following through continuing to trust God. The question is; can you and I be trusted to follow through continuing to trust God during our trails and suffering? Can the Lord say, ‘Have you considered my servant’ (your name here)?